The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-07
Today's Election.

MI, SndrieS y. chapman mas been Mayor
Of Portland one year, and the universal
verdict is that his administration has
been a creditable one in every respect
Even the men who are opposing his re-elec-
ton do not pretend that they are doing SO
because Of any fault or shortcoming on his
part. His administration has been conduct
ed with an eye single to the welfare of the
city, and nothing that savored of jobbery
has received the slightest liberation at its
hands. While he has been progressive
mayor, looking at the future as well as the
present, he has advanced cautiously, always
keeping in mind the city's financial condi-
tion and the burdens which it entails upon
our taxpayers. He has been economical
without being parsimonious, progressive
without being rash. His attitude toward the
railroad questions that have arisen in the
past is known Of all men. He is firm be-
lever in the future Of the Ogdensburg and
perhaps has done more than any one citizen
to strengthen the citys hold upon that high
way to the West. 1t was largely through his
efforts that the sale of the road was made con-
ditional upon the consent of majority of
the people of Portland, and that the city sue
ceeded in-obtaining an additional number of
shsSeein the new corporation. His past
record is a guarantee that the city's interest
in this road will be carefully guarded as long
as he remains in the mayors chair.
Mr.. Charles Mccarthy, years ago, was an
alderman, but for ten years past he has had
only that familiarity with city affairs which
every intelligent citizen has. Should he be
come mayor a considerable partl of his term
will have to be spent in famiiarizing himself
with pending questions. Besides, Mr.. Ne
Carthy has some entangling alliances which
will prove very embarrassing to him on GER
tain questions which will be sure to present
themselves during his administration He is
director Of the Portland & Rochester road,
which is asking for some very valuable privi
leges on the back side of the city that ought
not to be granted unless the city obtains some
very strong guarantees that they shall not be
used in a way to injuriously affect its
interests. Before the Rochester, or
its owner. the Boston & Maine, can get
these privileges the consent of the Mayor
must be obtained, so that the protection of
the city's interest in this matter is in his
hands. If we elect Mr.. Mccarthy we COM
NIT the protection of the city's interest to a
director Of the railroad that is seeking these
privileges. No private individual would en-
trust the decision of case in which he was
interested to man personally identified
with case of his adversary, and what the in
diyidual would not do the city ought not to
do. This is not saying or insinuating that
Mr.. Mccarthy would deliberately place his
personal interest above the interests of the
city. We do not believe he would do any
such thing. But nobody can measure the
unconscious influence Of personal Interest 1t
is the fear of this unconscious influence that
leads judges and jurors to retire when they
have only a very remote interest in the case
on trial.
The choice to-day then is between a man
who has been tried and found faithful, and
who has NO personal interest in any question
boly to arise during the coming year, to
pefs-~i Judgment; and a man who is in
tant neutrality-suspicious., and who has a
his administration. r6the most impor-
difficulty under these circumssme before
Gliding which should be taken and no
left